Selective Mutism Awareness Week 

Here  you will find a wealth of information on selective mutism in the U.K. 
To gain full access to the site, you will need to register in the panel on the left of this page.

This site contains:

• Publications & Resources - Details of SMIRA's own publications and other useful books for parents, professionals and children.

• Downloads - Contains a wide range of useful information leaflets, as well
  as SMIRA Membership Forms and Publication Order Forms for the ‘Silent Children' DVD.  (Site registration required). New Leaflet added 06/08/08-Not all SM children are Silent at School............

• News - Keep in touch with SMIRA's activities and any developments in the field of
  selective mutism generally.

• Member's Experiences - Real-life stories submitted by SMIRA members. 
  (Site registration required).

• Links - Links to other useful sites for parents and other selective mutism
  sites the world over.

• Forums - here you can share your experiences with other members, ask  for advice or learn about resources, training courses, etc. Latest updates of the awareness campaign can be found here! (Site registration required).
  

• Donate - Make a donation to SMIRA or pay for publications with a debit or
  credit card, via www.paypal.com.

About SMIRA

SMIRA - Membership Categories

Parent Membership

This is available for all parents of SM children up to the age of 18 and entitles them to receive our Newsletter, issued 3 times a year, and to attend our National Parents' Meeting, held annually in Leicester, UK, as well as any other members-only activities which occur from time to time.  Parent membership is free, although it is hoped that parents will make regular donations according to their means.  Standing order forms and Gift Aid forms are available in the ‘Downloads' section of the website.

Although SMIRA does not have the resources to support anyone over the age of 18, there is provision for them on the website forum and they (or their parents) are welcome to join as Friends of SMIRA (see below).

Professional Membership

This is available to anyone involved in the Health or Education professions who has an interest in selective mutism.  There is a small fee payable for membership and benefits are as for Parent members.  Honorary Professional Membership is granted at the discretion of the Committee to those who assist SMIRA on a regular basis.

Friends of SMIRA

This is a new group set up for supporters of SMIRA who do not fall into the above categories and may include grandparents and other family members, parents of young people over the age of 18 and adults who are, or have recovered from, SM.  Benefits are as for Parent Members, and it is hoped that ‘Friends' will make regular donations to SMIRA.

Membership forms for all categories can be found under ‘SMIRA Forms' in the ‘Downloads' section of the website.  Completed forms may be sent by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by post to SMIRA, 13 Humberstone Drive, Leicester, LE5 0RE.

Standing order forms are also available for those who wish to make regular donations.

THE COFFEE MORNING CHALLENGE!

As many of you will be aware, SMIRA parents are currently trying to raise funds to cover the cost of the SM Awareness Week, planned for October this year.  The total cost of the campaign is around £6,000 and we have applied to Children in Need for a grant, but as they are usually many times over-subscribed, we have to be realistic and consider it quite likely that we will be turned down.  

The costs can be broken down as follows:

• Printing of Leaflets                                                          £450
• Mailshot to Nursery Schools                                         £930
• Email to all Schools                                                        £470
• Information Packs to Training Establishments         £3900
• Incidental Expenses                                                       £250

We are therefore calling on all parents to join our Coffee Morning Challenge!                 

Why not organise a Coffee Morning - or Afternoon Tea - or Wine & Cheese, whatever takes your fancy, to help raise funds for at least part of SMIRA's Awareness Campaign?  Dads might also like to join in by clearing out the garage/shed/attic and holding a Car Boot Sale or Garage Sale.  

We would like to see a number of events taking place around the country during April, May & June and will provide you with leaflets and back-up as necessary.  We are kicking off in April with a Coffee Morning in Edinburgh organised by Sheilagh - more details to follow.